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Friday, 25 May 2012

Dry Shampoo Recipes

I belong to several forums and one of the members had this problem...

"My daughter has super oily hair! Even if it is washed daily, it looks oily before the next washing. We have asked hair dressers, salon supply stores, etc...
So far I have not found anything that works! She is 14 and this is a huge deal for her. I know how she feels because mine is super thin... Can anyone help???"

Here was my suggestion: "Less shampooing and 'dry shampoo' in between washings really is the best answer. Dry shampoo can be as simple as baby powder that you sprinkle in the hair and brush out. If that doesn't work use corn starch. You can add a couple of drops of lavender essential oil or even a drop or two of peppermint to about a 1/2 a cup of cornstarch to make a great dry shampoo. The peppermint will dry up the oil producers some so don't use too much--it also tingles so use it sparingly. Lavender is also antibacterial and smells awesome. If you have darker hair dry shampoo can be harder so brush well and shake it out. It will absorb the excess oil without stripping the scalp and signaling the body to make more oil. She may outgrow the problem but less stimulation from soap will make a difference."

Dietary changes, frequent brushing, less shampooing and 'dry shampoo' in between washings really is the best answer.

Here is a great article to check out...Natural Chica by Dr. Kerry Williams. She talks about the scalp and what is going on with the body as well as warnings about 'greasing up' to combat this problem.

Dry Shampoo

Dry shampoo can be as simple as baby powder that you sprinkle in the hair and brush out. If you don't like that, use corn starch. You can add a couple of drops of lavender essential oil or even a drop or two of peppermint to about a 1/2 a cup of cornstarch to make a easy dry shampoo. The peppermint will dry up the oil producers some so don't use too much--it also tingles so use it sparingly. Lavender is also antibacterial and smells awesome. If you have darker hair, dry shampoo can be harder to brush out, so brush well and shake it out. The starch will absorb the excess oil without stripping the scalp and signalling the body to make more oil. Try this recipe as well because less stimulation from soap can make a difference.

Lavender Dry Shampoo

1 cup cornstarch

1/2 cup potato starch

6 drops Lavender Essential Oil

2 drops Rosemary Essential Oil

Mix the starches together well. I use two different starches in this mix to help with the 'feel' of the shampoo. Add the essential oils. Wearing gloves 'work' the oil into the shampoo. Store in a salt shaker with larger holes if possible or a talc container. Sprinkle on the hair sparingly avoiding the scalp as much as possible as the powder will collect there and is harder to remove.

The essential oils will not make your hair greasy. They clean by their antibacterial qualities and help the scalp to heal if needed. Using dry shampoo is especially nice while camping and water isn't readily available. It is also great for those days where the oil is 'out of control' and you don't have time to shampoo with soap. Leave out the rosemary if you are pregnant.

Pour into a bottle with a smaller top that will allow you to 'squirt' small quantities at a time into the hair. The small puffs of air and powder will be easier to manage than handfuls of dry shampoo. Again, avoid the scalp as much as possible. Some powder will naturally settle there so it will help in small quantities, but without clumping in the scalp and making your hair look even worse.

The peppermint essential oil will help 'calm' the oil producing cells in your scalp or sebaceous glands. Peppermint may help reduce production of oils from the scalp.

Do not apply pure essential oil to any part of the body. Essential oils are concentrated 'medicines' and should be treated as such.

For essential oils or specialty ingredients contact me at jenspice1@yahoo.ca